Source: SKY_Sports
Ferdinand hails Defoe approach
Tottenham coach Les Ferdinand believes Jermain Defoe's willingness to learn has helped to improve his game.
The Spurs striker has been in blistering form this season for both club and country.
He has helped Harry Redknapp's side make an unbeaten start to the campaign, while his performances for England should ensure he will on the plane to South Africa next summer.
Defoe's development at White Hart Lane is currently overseen by former England ace Ferdinand, and he believes the player's progress is down to a more mature approach.
"We talk a lot. He wants to improve himself," Ferdinand told Sky Sports News.
"I think the testament to that was the start of the season when the manger said he could have an extra week off after being away with England, but he didn't take that.
Improving"He couldn't wait to get back playing football for Spurs and that's testament to his attitude and he is reaping the benefits of doing that.
"I've known for a long time that Jermain Defoe is a great goalscorer. I worked with him when I left here and joined West Ham.
"I knew he was a great goalscorer. It's just about bringing a few aspects into his game which might cement him a place in the England side."
There had been calls for Defoe to start alongside Wayne Rooney in England's 5-1 demolition of Croatia in midweek, but Ferdinand accepts that the Spurs ace works better with a physical presence alongside him.
"I can understand at the moment why (Fabio) Capello hasn't been starting him," he added.
"As much as you want to see it, you want to see your centre-forwards scoring goals, which Jermain has done. If you play him and Rooney together it becomes too one-dimensional.
"No-one ever speaks about Jermain and Emile Heskey playing together though. I understand that as well because Rooney finished as the top scorer in the qualifying groups, so you expect him to play. But Jermain could play with Heskey and he could play with Carlton Cole."
PaceOne of the stars of the show against Croatia was Tottenham winger Aaron Lennon, another player who has been putting in the hours on the training ground in an effort o raise his game.
"He is putting the time in to make sure his crosses are better," said Ferdinand.
"There is no point in using that blistering pace and then there is no final product. He has realised that and there is a maturity now.
"We were looking at him at 21 to do the things he is doing now. He has matured and he understands the game a bit better."
